Support article

Adding or removing a DVR Expander

01-44-02Search Reference Number
 

Spend more time recording and less time erasing shows! Get more recording space for your favorite programs by adding a TiVo Verified DVR Expander to your Series3 or TiVo HD DVR.

Requirements

Connecting the DVR Expander

Temporarily Removing the DVR Expander

Permanently Removing the DVR Expander

Troubleshooting

FAQs

 

 

Requirements

 

~ TiVo Verified DVR Expander 
~ Series3 or TiVo HD DVR
~ TiVo DVR software version 9.2 or higher
~ Stable power source (If possible, use the SAME power source for both the TiVo DVR and DVR Expander.)

 

  

Connecting the DVR Expander

 

Use the procedure below to add a TiVo Verified DVR Expander to a Series3 or TiVo HD DVR.

 

Step 1Disconnect the AC power cord from your TiVo DVR.

  
 

Step 2Connect the eSATA cord to the TiVo Verified DVR Expander and TiVo DVR. Make sure not to pinch the eSATA cord or run the eSATA cord by an amplifier, speaker, or any other device with a strong magnetic field.

  
 

WarningUse the eSATA cable supplied with the TiVo Verified DVR Expander. Use of a third-party eSATA cable is unsupported and may cause various performance problems (rebooting, poor recording quality, lost recordings, etc.).

 

 

Step 3Connect the AC power cord to the DVR Expander and electrical outlet. The power LED illuminates.

  
 

NotesThe LED light may not be visible in bright lighting conditions.

 

Step 4Wait approximately 15 seconds for the hard drive to reach operating speed.

  
 

Step 5Power on the TiVo DVR by reattaching the AC power cord.

  
 

NotesIf possible, plug the TiVo DVR into the same power source as the DVR Expander. This ensures both units turn off and turn on at the same time should there be a temporary loss of power.

 

Step 6A few minutes after the TiVo DVR has finished restarting, the following screen will appear:

  
 

 

Step 7Select Yes, set up external storage device to begin marrying the DVR Expander to the TiVo DVR.

  
 

NotesIf you decide to set up your DVR Expander later, select Skip for now. You can continue the setup process later by pressing the TiVo button on your TiVo remote to go to the TiVo Central screen. Then select Messages and Settings > Settings > Remote, CableCARD, & Devices > External Storage.

 

Step 8From the External Storage screen, select Yes, set up this device. The Set Up External Storage screen will appear.

  
 

 

Step 9Once you have read the warning message, press the THUMBS DOWN button on your TiVo remote three times, then press ENTER.

  
 

 

Step 10The TiVo DVR will automatically restart again. After a few minutes, the following screen will appear verifying the setup was successful:

  
 

 

NotesAfter the TiVo DVR has finished restarting, you can check the new recording capacity of your TiVo DVR and DVR Expander system. Press the TiVo button on your remote to go to TiVo Central. Then go to Messages & Settings > Account & System Information > System Information and look at the Recording Capacity field.

 

  

Temporarily Disconnecting the DVR Expander

 

Follow these instructions when temporarily disconnecting the DVR Expander (to clean or move your entertainment center, for example).

 

WarningAlways unplug the power cord from the electrical outlet before disconnecting the AC adapter from the DVR Expander.

 

Step 1Power off the compatible TiVo DVR by disconnecting the AC power cord.

  
 

Step 2Disconnect the AC adapter cord and eSATA cable from the DVR Expander.

  
 

NotesDisconnecting the DVR Expander while the DVR is powered on will cause the DVR to restart. The DVR will not recover until the DVR Expander is reconnected and the DVR is subsequently restarted, or the drive is permanently removed. Programs are not recorded when the DVR Expander is disconnected.

  

Reconnecting the DVR Expander after Temporary Disconnection

 

Step 1Reconnect the AC adapter cord and eSATA cable to the DVR Expander.

  
 

Step 2Power on the TiVo DVR by reattaching the AC power cord.

  
 

  

Permanently Removing the DVR Expander

 

Under normal operating conditions, there is no reason to remove the DVR Expander. Removing the DVR Expander does not allow you to play your recordings on a different DVR. Because each recording is distributed equally between the DVR’s internal drive and the DVR Expander, you cannot gain additional storage by using more than one DVR Expander. You should only remove the DVR Expander if you wish to stop using it.

 

WarningIf you permanently remove the DVR Expander, you will lose all or most of your existing recordings on both the DVR and the DVR Expander.

 

Step 1Power off the compatible TiVo DVR by disconnecting the AC power cord.

  
 

Step 2Disconnect the AC adapter cord and eSATA cable from the DVR Expander.

  
 

Step 3Plug in the power for the TiVo DVR. When the DVR restarts, it will detect the DVR Expander is missing and display the following screen:

  
 

 

Step 4Press the CLEAR button.

  
 

Step 5The WARNING screen will appear and ask for confirmation to remove the DVR Expander. Press the THUMBS DOWN button three times, then press ENTER.

  
 

 

Step 6The TiVo DVR will begin permanently removing the DVR Expander. Wait until the DVR restarts.

  
 

 

WarningDo not unplug the DVR before it finishes removing the expander and automatically restarts. Doing so may cause serious damage to the DVR and DVR Expander.

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